PharmaLinkFHI is now Novella Clinical

US-based contract research organisation (CRO) PharmaLinkFHI has changed its name to Novella Clinical, reflecting the company’s higher global profile following its acquisition of Matrix Contract Research in the UK last September.

Founded in 1998 with the aim of using advances in internet-based technology and security to overhaul and simplify the clinical trial process, the then PharmaLink started to realise its global ambitions a year later through its affiliation with Durham, US-based Family Health International (FHI), a not-for-profit public health research and services organisation with offices in more than 40 countries.

The acquisition of Matrix, which had already been a frequent partner to PharmaLinkFHI in global trial implementation and management, further expanded the US company’s global reach. In addition to its headquarters in Stevenage, Matrix fielded a regional office in Moscow, Russia and local staff in over 20 countries.

Last year’s deal brought together Matrix’s core clinical services, which included project management, clinical monitoring and regulatory support, with PharmaLinkFHI’s US clinical resources and its global e-data management and biostatistical groups. The acquisition also consolidated the two companies’ flexible resourcing capabilities by fusing Matrix Clinical Solutions with PharmaLink’s staffing division, eReady Monitors.

Nigel Trim, former president of Matrix and subsequently managing director of PharmaLinkFHI’s European operations, stated: “As Novella Clinical we are poised to continue our growth globally – both within our current geographic footprint as well as expending into new regions of the world”.

Novella offers full-service CRO support through its biopharmaceutical and medical device divisions, as well as flexible staffing solutions through Novella Clinical Resourcing.